The Federal Pell Grant is awarded based on receipt of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and enrollment level (full-time, three-quarter time, half-time, or less than half-time). The Federal Pell Grant is the basic foundation for awarding other types of student financial aid. Awards range from $602 to $5,730 for 2014-2015 aid year. Students who do not use all of their eligibility for the 2014-2015 aid year during the Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 semesters may be able to use their remaining eligibility during Summer 2015.

Pell-eligible students must:

» Submit the FAFSA and meet Federal Student Aid program requirements (e.g. U.S. Citizen or
eligible noncitizen; have a valid Social Security Number, etc.);

» Have an EFC between 0 and 5,157 for the 2014-2015 aid year;

» Be an undergraduate enrolled in a degree-seeking program or University College; students with a prior BS/BA degree are not eligible for Federal Pell Grant;

Enrollment levels (full-time, three-quarter-time, half-time, and less than half-time) are determined based on projected or actual enrollment with subsequent adjustment based on actual enrollment each semester. Final Federal Pell Grant eligibility is determined and awards are finalized each semester on the Pell Census date that corresponds to the end of the 100% refund period.

Limitations of the Federal Pell Grant

A student that has already earned a bachelor's or first professional degree is not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. Additionally, students incarcerated in a federal or state penal institution are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant.

Students may only receive the Federal Pell Grant for the equivalent of six years. An eligible student may receive up to 100% of the Pell Grant funding during each year that they are eligible. Therefore, the six year limit is equal to 600% of Pell Grant funding. More information about the Federal Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility limit can be found at studentaid.ed.gov.